How to Remove the Write Protect Settings on USB Drive

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Level 1

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How to Remove the Write Protect Settings on USB Drive

Hello Everyone,

I have a SanDisk Ultra 32GB USB Drive and somehow, it has become write protected. One minute it is fine, and the other minute, whenever I attempt to save a file, edit a file or delete a file, a message comes up saying "This item cannot be moved to the trash because it can't be deleted" or a little icon of a circle with a line through it (prohibitory sign) appears. (See screen shots)

Is there a way that I can fix my USB and restore it so that it is no longer write-protected? If anyone has a method that fixes the USB, but also deletes all the data from it, I would still appreciate it, as I have a backup copy of all my data.

Also, if there is anyone who knows a way to fix the USB that requires Windows 8, I would appreciate that as well, because I also have a computer running Windows 7, as well as Parallels Desktop for Mac - Windows 8. Note please that I have already gone into the registry (Regedit), and used that method, as well as the command method. Both methods don't work. If you see something wrong that I have done, please tell me. (See screen shots)

(in the above image, the name of the drive has been blurred, to save my identity)

Thankyou,

All help will be appreciated,

Sandy-Wood

Posted on Jun 13, 2014 11:26 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jun 14, 2014 8:08 AM in response to Sandy-Wood

Some flash drives have a failure mode in which they are irreversibly write-locked by the internal controller when it detects a write error. If the drive doesn't have a write-lock switch (most do not) and you can't erase it in Disk Utility, that's almost certainly what has happened. To be sure, test it with another computer, if possible.

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